Talks ongoing on fate of city satellite office

CEBU, Philippines — Negotiations are still ongoing to determine the fate of the satellite office of the Cebu City Hall, which building is being leased from the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD).

This was clarified by acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Garcia in a press conference yesterday, June 10, 2024, following reports that the satellite office standing just across the Plaza Sugbo grounds will now be returned under MCWD management.

Garcia said he was able to speak to MCWD chairman, lawyer Joey Daluz III, about the matter but it’s still an ongoing discussion.

“Nothing is final unless it is written in stone. We are still in the process of negotiation,” said Garcia.

Garcia clarified that reports on the return of the building to MCWD are “premature” as there is no conclusion yet on the matter.

He explained that the matter needs a thorough negotiation since the satellite office houses at least ten offices of the Cebu City government.

Garcia said that the city government has already spent a large sum on the renovation of all the facilities in the building.

“So we have to consider that in our discussions and our negotiations in the future so dili lang sa mag istorya og patapos because it is still under negotiation,” said Garcia.

Pending the result, Garcia has ordered the review of the city’s contract with MCWD. He has asked Cebu City Acting Administrator Christine Joy Batucan, and the Cebu City Legal Office to be on top of the review.

Garcia, however, is hopeful that the agreement will be extended since they don't have any other space to relocate the offices currently located in the building.

“Wa gyud koy kabalhinan, prangka-prangka lang pagkaistorya sa pagkakaron,” said Garcia.

He added that although he understands that the MCWD has laid down plans for the building, such as putting up an information center, he is willing to consider partially occupying some portions of the edifice.

“Maybe they can put their information office at the ground floor or whatever they want to put. I heard they also wanted to put a coffee shop to cater also to their customers, and clients, maybe the second floor is free and parts of the first floor which we can use for our offices,” said Garcia.

Mapping out initial plans, Garcia said that it would be better that these offices be relocated to an area which is easily accessible to the public.

Among those that currently hold office in the building are the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor, City Hospitalization Assistance and Medicines Program, Task Force Gubat sa Baha, City Agriculture Office, and Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office.

Moreover, he added that the long-term solution is relocating the City Hall at the SRP while the current one will be transformed as the Cebu City Museum and Archive Center.

“Pero damgo pa na pero naa natay plano, kwarta nalay kuwang,” said Garcia.

Initially, he said that the government is open to the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement to realize the new city hall building.

The discussion on the move of the offices started when the city government, through the Cebu City Legal Office (CLO), had to respond to the ultimatum of MCWD to vacate their satellite office. The CLO noted that the city government is in “lawful possession of the property” as basis among others.

In a letter addressed to Edgar Donoso, MCWD’s General Manager dated February 20, 2024, the Cebu City government responded through the CLO emphasizing that they will not be heeding the demands of MCWD.

In a document obtained by The Freeman, it was indicated that MCWD gave a final notice last January 22, 2024, which was received by the City Administrator's Office. — (FREEMAN)